Musharraf Govt. draws flak for replacing scientists

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 13. The Pakistan Government has been criticised by leaders of political, religious and jehadi outfits for replacing the renowned nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, and the Atomic Energy Commission chairman, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad.

In a sharp reaction to the decision of appointing both the scientists as Special Advisors on Science and Technology to the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, leaders of various organisations have accused the Government of replacing them under pressure from external lobby.

A Government spokesman had clarified that the decision was routine and there would be no compromise on security interests. The scientists were on an extension and were being offered the new jobs on expiry of their terms. The chief of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, Mr. Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, has said that ``the removal would create an unrest in the country'' and sought an explanation from the Government. He has been quoted in the Urdu daily, Jang, as saying that at a time when India was busy test firing `Akash' and `Agni', the removal of the two eminent scientists had created doubts about the motives of the rulers.

The acting PML (N) president, Mr. Javed Hashmi, said his party would never allow `rolling back' of the atomic programme. Dr. Qadeer's removal was an indication of winding up the nuclear programme. He was a national asset and the manner in which he was asked to retire was not appropriate. The decision, he alleged, was also reflective of Pakistan's intention to sign the CTBT. Agreeing with the view, the Jamat-e-Islami deputy chief, Mr. Liaqat Baloch, said the visits of track-II diplomats and American delegations to the country had made the situation more suspect.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba chief, Hafiz Saeed, said the removal of the two scientists at a time when the U.N. Secretary- General, Mr. Kofi Annan, was visiting the country, had created doubts in the minds of the people. And the chief of the Tehreek-e-Islami, Maulana Mukhtar Gul, said the move was against national interest.

The former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. (retd.) Aslam Beg, however, has said that all concerns over the removal of the two scientists were baseless.

`Nuclear programme irreversible'

PTI reports:

Gen. Musharraf has said the country's nuclear programme is irreversible and will not be rolled back ``under any pressure.''

``I am not a traitor and so there could not be any compromise on the nuclear programme,'' he told a meeting of newspaper editors in Lahore yesterday. Refuting the allegation that the scientists were retired under pressure from international financial institutions, he said the media was ``overplaying'' the issue.

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Section  : International
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